Stadium campaigners start drive for cash fighting fund

First published
in News
by Damian Fantato, Council Reporter, also covering Oxford city centre. Call me on 01865 425429

CAMPAIGNERS fighting the demolition of Oxford Stadium have made a rallying cry for cash as they try to stop the site being flattened.

At a public meeting in The Chequers pub in Headington Quarry, the campaigners began raising money to pay for the thousands of pounds they will need to fork out on consultants and lawyers.

It comes after developer Galliard Homes took its fight to bulldoze the greyhound stadium to a government inspector.

The appeal process will require the campaigners hoping to keep it to stump up a large sum of cash – as the developer is appealing the Oxford City Council vote to both reject a scheme to flatten it and to build 220 homes.

Ian Sawyer, who has been leading the campaign, said: “We have got meetings with consultants to get an idea of how much we need.

“There are people who have agreed to look into giving us money like the British Speedway Promoters’ Association but they have to have committee meetings.

“With such support from Oxford City Council, the consultants think we have a good chance.

“I would like to think that if we won the appeal, Galliard would sell, but we cannot make them do it and they might think that if it is rejected it is better to get some money by selling.”